Venues: Sydney Entering Live Music Boom, Crowd Records, Meltdowns, Awards & Pepper Spray Rage!

Iconic Sydney racecourse Royal Randwick is about to become a major site for festivals and international concerts for between 5,000 and 15,000 people.

The NSW Government announced that it will allow it to host ten music and cultural events a year.

According to the Government, “Previously limited to a single cultural event of over 5,000 people, a consent which expired in 2024, the lifting of this cap will unlock more opportunities for world-class entertainment in our city.”

The increase to 10 extra events will translate into over $19 million into the state economy, and create 100 ongoing jobs.

This comes as the NSW Government lifted concert caps at Centennial Park and the Sydney Cricket Ground precinct, while also launching a redevelopment of the nearby Entertainment Quarter.

Minister for the Arts and Night-Time Economy John Graham said: "We need more spaces for outdoor entertainment in Sydney.

"We support opening up Randwick Racecourse for more than just racing. Randwick Racecourse has good existing transport links and is a great place for more entertainment offerings.

"For too long, Sydney has been reined in by red tape. We've been removing unnecessary restrictions, lifting the concert cap and changing our noise complaint rules to get the city back up and running.”

"The Minns Labor Government wants NSW to be the place where young people choose to live and work which means alongside unlocking more housing, we must also support lively communities and culture."

The first events are expected from late 2026.

A 20,000-Seat Indoor Arena For Entertainment Quarter?

A new indoor arena seating between 15,000 and 20,000 is one of the ideas being tossed around by the NSW Government for the 10.96 hectare Entertainment Quarter (EQ) at Moore Park in Sydney.

The Government readily admits that the EQ has fallen short of its potential as a key hub for entertainment, sport and creative industries.

It has now opened a tender process which seeks proposals for a precinct that:

• Delivers a hub of activity to make it a destination all through the year “including midweek and at night.”

• Celebrates the history and cultural heritage of the site

• Create spaces “that can host substantial audiences for live performances,” which could include the indoor arena.

The deadline for proposals is Friday, December 5th.

The Government stated, “In a prime location, the EQ sits alongside the SCG and Allianz Stadium, is 300 metres from the light rail, and is within walking distance of Centennial Park. The potential for the former Sydney Showgrounds site is immense.”

The Arkaba Dominates SA Hospitality Awards

The Crown & Anchor took out Best Live Music Venue at the 2025 AHA South Australia Hotel Industry Awards For Excellence before 1,000 guests at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

But it was Arkaba nightclub which shone on the night, winning Best Overall Hotel and also in the Entertainment Venue, Sporting Entertainment and Meeting and Events Venue categories.

Adelaide Oval joined the Hall of Fame for Meetings & Events after securing the category for four consecutive years.

Groundwater Sets New Attendance Record

The Gold Coast’s free country-roots festival Groundwater set a new attendance record this month, organisers said. 

Crowds over the three days for the 12th edition hit 60,000 and injected $15 million into the local economy. Last year it brought in 55,000 and a fresh $13 million to the region, according to Major Events Gold Coast.

Parlour Wine Room In Liquidation

Music hosting Parlour Wine Room in Canberra’s New Acton, which was to be auctioned this week, has gone into liquidation instead.

Owner Kevin Steadman, who bought the business (and the downstairs bar High Jinks) in 2024 had problems due to disruption from the construction of light rail Stage 2A on London Circuit. 

Earlier this year he was among business owners asking for government aid, saying his trade was down 50% – 60% from under previous owners.

Plough Inn Changes Hands

Brisbane’s Plough Inn, which hosts live music seven days a week, has a new owner. After being operated by Craig Shearer’s Kickon Group, the pub on the bank of the Brisbane River, has been snapped up by Redcape as part of its expanding footprint in south-east Queensland.

NT Security Guards Slam Pepper Spay Rule

A 12-month trial introduced by the Northern Territory on September 1st, allowing people to buy canisters of pepper spray from a select group of firearms retailers and carry them for self-defence, has been slammed by nightclub security guards.

Two incidents outside the Mayberry nightclub in the Darwin CBD led to the United Workers Union NT, to call the trial “irresponsible” and the confrontations "a bit of a wake-up call".

Police arrested a 26-year old woman for allegedly spraying a 21-year-old during a brawl, while a 16-year-old allegedly sprayed two guards after they refused him entry. NT Police say the cans are not to be used inside licensed venues.

Live Music Bonanza As Justin Hemmes’ 24-Hour Precinct Gets Green Light

A jazz bar, a nightclub and a lounge hosting live music – this is part of the menu now that Justin Hemmes’ mega-24 hour $56 million precinct in the Sydney CBD got the green light from the Central City Planning Committee which said it was in the “public interest” for it to go ahead.

According to Hemmes’ company Merivale’s master plan released last year, five Victorian era heritage buildings located between King, York, Clarence, and Barrack Streets will be linked.

The precinct will have a capacity for 8,211 people, and includes a 100-room hotel, and six floors of bars and restaurants. There’ll be two basement levels for live music and a nightclub.

Nightclub Owners Launch Bev’s

Jackson Choy and Josh Wells, who run the Twisted Lime nightclub on Liverpool St. in Hobart, have also launched Bev’s on Elizabeth Street opening on Fridays and Saturdays. 

They bought the property last July when it was Simple Cider and spent a year transforming it. Launch night was a success: they ran out of beer.

2am Opening For Brisbane Clubs?

2am openings, scrapping ID checks in low risk venues, better connection between the entertainment and dining precincts, including with late night public transport options, and initiatives to take on the alarming figure that 84% of women feel unsafe walking or running at night in Brisbane.

These were just some of the ideas brought up at the Committee for Brisbane’s The Night-Time Economy: What Makes A Good Night Out, Anyway? summit.

Speakers included Night-life Economy Commissioner John “JC” Collins, Minister for Housing, Public Works and Youth Sam O’Connor, Tyron Simon of the restaurant Anyday Group, Queensland Walks Executive Director Anna Campbell, architecture and designer firm Populous APAC Director Chris Paterson & Wayfinding Design Lead Sophie Hogben, Hutchies Director Jack Hutchinson, BDO Business Services Partner Tony Young, and Creative Director & Disruptor at Chrysalis Projects and POPSTART, Bec Mac.

They were chosen for representing Gen Z, Gen Y/Millennial, Gen X, and Boomer.

Hence there were inevitably differences of opinion on what made a good night out, but all agreed revving up Brisbane’s night-time had to start almost immediately to have it ready for when tourists descended on the city for the Games.

Collins spoke of one dilemma: “Young people are looking for experiences now. They’ll spend $2000 to go see Taylor Swift but won’t spend $30 to go see a local band so the challenge in the industry is getting people off the couch.”

Dainty & Dainty Get Into Management

Paul Dainty, legendary promoter of superstar tours and blockbuster musicals and theatrical productions, has entered artist management for the first time. He and TV/film executive son Sam Dainty set up Voyager Management Group.

First signing is 22-year old pop singer Charly Oakley. Her debut single Against The Odds is launched at the Night Cat in Fitzroy, Melbourne, on Thursday, October 30th, and she’s caught the eye of Jonathan Daniel, whose firm CRUSH MUSIC manages Sia, Miley Cyrus and Lorde.

Hitting The Market

Expressions of interest for The Narooma on NSW’s Sapphire Coast, enjoying stunning ocean views, close on November 19th. It comes with a 1am licence, bar and gaming room, and weekly revenues around $87,000. Owner Michael Sweeney wants to focus on a new venture.

The Lubec family’s Horsley Park Tavern in Sydney’s Greater West is on the market for the first since they built it in 1980. It features live music as sports on TV and gaming rooms.  Expressions of interest, close Wednesday, November 26th.

The Rasheed family, owners of Perth’s Mojos Bar and The Left Bank in East Fremantle, are intending to retire, and selling their 3050ha mixed farm Gunapin Ridge for up to $30 million, The West Australian reported.

Another Music Venue Gets Lauded In Song

There’s a long list of Australian songs about the joys and community around pubs, including those by AC/DC, Skyhooks, The Chats, Cosmic Psychos, Cold Chisel, and Slim Dusty.

This week Melbourne singer songwriter Greg Champion released (We Always Have A Good Time At) Coburg RSL, about the gig-supporting business on Melbourne’s Sydney Road.

In the song, the road warrior recalls some of the venues he’s played at, including Sydney’s Manzil Room (“where we’d start at 3 am”) and Coogee Bay Hotel, along with “character building” country pub, roadhouses and country music festivals, and in Birdsville, Katherine, and King Island.

The punch line: “Everywhere you go/people treat you well/But we always have a good time at the Coburg RSL.”

Live Technicians Recognised In Awards

Nice to see live music technicians recognised for their skills and tech savvy in the two latest music awards.

In the Australian Women in Music Awards, the Creative Technical Solutions Live Creative Production category was gonged by Kate Berry, with Karen Norris, and Sarah Ponturo runners-up. 

Based in Ballarat, Victoria, Berry has two businesses – Friendly Services where she works as a creative producer, and OK Motels “where I create mini music festivals and road trips to faraway places in regional Vic.”

This award recognises a female or gender-diverse person working in a live production environment, making a significant impact in their field: includes but is not limited to roles such as Live Sound, Lighting & Visual Design, Set Design, and Show Producer.

The Live Production Touring Award – covering Tour/Operations/Promotions Management, Tour Assistant, Backstage and Roadcrew went to Letisha Ackland, with finalists Bonnie Knight, and Kat Rallis.

A proud Wirangu, Kokatha and Mirning woman from Ceduna in the far west of South Australia, Ackland is Executive Producer and Production Manager at Balya Productions, a First Nations-led company specialising in event management, concept development, community engagement, production, and logistical operations.

In the SA Music Awards, the Best Live Technician trophy went to Luke Hancock, of Sounds Good Productions, for a second year.

Also from the SA live sector, Lion Arts Factory was Best Venue, Limestone Coast Beer & BBQ Festival took Best Regional Music Venue/Festival/Event, Porch And Recreation was recipient of Best Small Festival, and Hannah Louise who looks after Adelaide melodic punk rockers LOLA getting Best Manager once more.

Terminus Hosts RSOM Showcases

A longtime supporter of original live music in Melbourne, The Terminus in Abbotsford is hosting a weekly residency by The Real Songwriters of Melbourne (RSOM) association.

Every Thursday, three of their members get the chance to try out their material before a crowd.

No Place Like Roam

Four Aussie acts are among those represented by new global booking agency Roam, created from the merger last month of ATC Live and Arrival Artists.  

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Royel Otis, Mallrat, and Amyl And The Sniffers are among 800 acts on the roster, including PJ Harvey, Fontaines D.C., Mac DeMarco, Metronomy, Sufjan Stevens, The Lumineers,  Andrew Bird, BadBadNotGood, Big Thief, Black Pumas, Car Seat Headrest, Faye Webster, Glen Hansard, Good Neighbours. and Japanese Breakfast.

Roam has offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris, and Glasgow.

Will New York Cap Ticket Fees?

Will the state of New York cap ticket fees? This is what the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) is calling for after a study it did of 86 NY venues found that the average primary ticket fee is now 28.65%, an increase of more than 36% since 2016.

In almost 10% of cases, fees exceeded 50% of the face value and occasionally exceeded face value. New York law currently has a vague definition of “reasonable” when setting fees. NITO wants the law changed to spell out fees can’t be more than 15% of face value.

Live Album Taping At Bar Opening

Just weeks after launching their Spit On The Sidewalk album at The Evelyn, Melbourne soul/grunge psychedelia eight piece The Glamour are heading to Bar Open. This time it’s to tape a live version of the album, on November 27th.

Meltdown!

Milan Vukojcic, the local government worker who called in a hoax bomb threat at 1 am after being booted out of Sydney’s Cargo Club for his level of intoxication, is appealing his nine-month jail sentence. 

The appeal is set for December 4th. Police closed the club after the phone threat – something which the Cargo Club estimates cost it $30,000 in takings.